Proper handling of medical waste is not only the law, locally and federally, it protects employees and others from becoming contaminated by infectious pathogens (bacterium, virus or other microorganisms), causing serious illness and diseases.

Infectious waste may contain various pathogenic microorganisms, which can enter the body through various modes; this includes:

• through a puncture, abrasion or cut in the skin

• through the mucous membranes

• by inhalation

• by ingestion

The World Health Organization, Table 3.1, lists examples of infections that can be caused due to improper medical waste disposal and the ways these infections are transported:

Gastroenteric infections: Spread through feces and/or vomit

Respiratory infections: Inhaled secretions, saliva

Ocular infections: Eye secretions

Genital infections: Genital secretions

Skin infections: Pus

Anthrax: Skin secretions

Meningitis: Cerebrospinal fluid

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): Blood, sexual secretions

Hemorrhagic fevers: All bloody products and secretions

Septicemia: Blood

Bacteremia: Blood

Candidemia: Blood

Viral hepatitis A: Feces

Viral hepatitis B and C: Blood and body fluids

People and professions most at risk include:

medical doctors, nurses, auxiliaries and hospital maintenance

patients in health-care establishments or receiving home care

visitors to health-care establishments

workers in health-care support services, such as laundries, waste handling and transportation

workers in waste disposal facilities (such as landfills or incinerators)

Safe handling and proper disposal of medical waste is the only way to eliminate the risk of exposure to healthcare related wastes, preventing illness and disease.